SB 1445: RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that, according to a ten‑year study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly all indicators of children and adolescent mental health have worsened between 2013 and 2023.  Disasters like the COVID‑19 pandemic and the Maui wildfires in August 2023 have increased rates of depression and anxiety in our youth.

     The legislature further finds that prevention activities related to the promotion of mental health, such as early intervention, mental health education, and coping strategies, are critical to preventing the escalation of mental health disorders in the State's communities, potentially reducing the need for more intensive services in the future.

     Digital platforms that can be accessed with mobile devices can provide a powerful public health service, especially for youth, by:

     (1)  Expanding the reach of mental health education and prevention by making it more convenient and inclusive, especially for children and adolescents in remote or underserved areas where in-person programs may be limited;

     (2)  Reducing stigma by making it easier for youth to explore resources without fear of judgment;

     (3)  Enhancing engagement and interactivity by allowing youth to guide their own learning;

     (4)  Tailoring content to the needs of the user;

     (5)  Providing a cost-effective way to reach a large audience;

     (6)  Addressing lower-level needs so the behavioral health workforce, which is scarce, can focus on youth with the highest level of need;

     (7)  Providing information that is continuously updated to reflect the latest research and resources; and

     (8)  Collecting critical data about community mental health needs.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a digital youth mental health platform pilot project under which the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health shall develop and make publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health shall implement and administer a digital youth mental health platform pilot project.  The pilot project shall commence on July 1, 2025, and end on June 30, 2027.

     (b)  Under the pilot project, the child and adolescent mental health division shall contract for the following services:

     (1)  Development, management, and hosting services for the digital youth mental health platform.  The child and adolescent mental health division shall oversee the development of the platform that is evidence-based, peer-reviewed, confidential, and responsive.  The platform shall provide:

          (A)  County specific resources;

          (B)  Mental health education;

          (C)  Self-care strategies;

          (D)  Healthy coping strategies; and

          (E)  Data regarding mental health needs in the State; and

     (2)  Communication and marketing services.  The child and adolescent mental health division shall manage the communications and marketing services, which include:

          (A)  Development of a communications and marketing plan;

          (B)  Creation of ad campaign materials inclusive of print, radio, digital, and television ads and the respective media buys;

          (C)  Planning and management of community and outreach events; and

          (D)  Social media campaign and management.

     (c)  The procurement of the development, management, and hosting services and the communication and marketing services for the purposes of this Act shall be exempt from chapters 103D and 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (d)  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027, the child and adolescent mental health division shall submit to the legislature a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the digital youth mental health platform pilot project.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026, and the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027, for the implementation and administration of the digital youth mental health platform pilot project.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DOH; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division; Child and Adolescent Mental Health; Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project; Reports; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes a two-year digital youth mental health platform  pilot project under which the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health shall develop and make publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that, according to a ten-year study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly all indicators of children and adolescent mental health have worsened between 2013 and 2023.  Disasters like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the Maui wildfires in August 2023 have increased rates of depression and anxiety in our youth.

     The legislature further finds that prevention activities related to the promotion of mental health, such as early intervention, mental health education, and coping strategies, are critical to preventing the escalation of mental health disorders in our communities, potentially reducing the need for more intensive services in the future.

     Digital platforms that can be accessed with mobile devices can provide a powerful public health service, especially for youth, by:

     (1)  Expanding the reach of mental health education and prevention by making it more convenient and inclusive, especially for children and adolescents in remote or underserved areas where in-person programs may be limited;

     (2)  Reducing stigma by making it easier for youth to explore resources without fear of judgment;

     (3)  Enhancing engagement and interactivity by allowing youth to guide their own learning;

     (4)  Tailoring content to the needs of the user;

     (5)  Providing a cost-effective way to reach a large audience;

     (6)  Addressing lower-level needs so the behavioral health workforce, which is scarce, can focus on youth with the highest level of need;

     (7)  Providing information that is continuously updated to reflect the latest research and resources; and

     (8)  Collecting critical data about community mental health needs.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a digital youth mental health platform pilot project under which the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health develops and makes publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health shall implement and administer a digital youth mental health platform pilot project.  The pilot project shall commence on July 1, 2025, and end on June 30, 2027.

     (b)  Under the pilot project, the child and adolescent mental health division shall contract for the following services:

     (1)  Development, management, and hosting services for the digital youth mental health platform.  The child and adolescent mental health division shall oversee the development of the platform that is evidence-based, peer-reviewed, confidential, and responsive.  The platform shall provide:

          (A)  County specific resources;

          (B)  Mental health education;

          (C)  Self-care strategies;

          (D)  Healthy coping strategies; and

          (E)  Data regarding mental health needs in the State.

     (2)  Communication and marketing services.  The child and adolescent mental health division shall manage the communications and marketing services, which include:

          (A)  Development of a communications and marketing plan;

          (B)  Creation of ad campaign materials inclusive of print, radio, digital, and television ads and the respective media buys;

          (C)  Planning and management of community and outreach events; and

          (D)  Social media campaign and management.

     (c)  The procurement of the development, management, and hosting services and the communication and marketing services for the purposes of this Act shall be exempt from chapters 103D and 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (d)  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027, the child and adolescent mental health division shall submit to the legislature a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the digital youth mental health platform pilot project.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026, and the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027, for the implementation and administration of the digital youth mental health platform pilot project.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DOH; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division; Child and Adolescent Mental Health; Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project

Description:

Establishes a two-year digital youth mental health platform  pilot project under which the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health develops and makes publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 582

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1445

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1445 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a two-year Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project under which the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health shall develop and make publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health, Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, Pride at Work-Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute.

     Your Committee finds that prevention activities related to the promotion of mental health, such as early intervention, mental health education, and coping strategies, are critical to preventing the escalation of mental health disorders in the State's communities, potentially reducing the need for more intensive services in the future.  Your Committee further finds that digital platforms that can be accessed with mobile devices can provide a powerful public health service, such as expanding the reach of mental health education and prevention services by making it more convenient and inclusive, especially for children and adolescents in remote or underserved areas where in-person programs may be limited.  This measure provides easier access to mental health resources through the establishment of a digital platform that educates youth, enhances engagement, and may prevent mental health challenges from worsening in the future.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     Your Committee notes that this measure, as amended, contains an unspecified appropriation amount.  Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $500,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the implementation and administration of the Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1445, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1445, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,